Life is stressful these days, and none of us would be surprised to hear that mental illnesses—such as anxiety, depression and others—are being reported at significantly higher rates for all ages. Alarmingly, reports of suicidal ideation are also at an all-time high according to Mental Health America.
Unfortunately, past experience tells us only half of those affected by mental illness receive treatment. Often this is because of the stigma attached to mental illness, but inability to pay, lack of providers and other factors also contribute.
What Exactly is a Mental Illness?
A mental illness is a physical illness of the brain causing disturbances in thinking, behavior, energy or emotion and making it difficult to cope with the ordinary demands of life. Research is starting to uncover the complicated causes of these diseases which can include genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, experiencing trauma and/or having another medical condition, like heart disease.
The two most common mental health conditions are anxiety disorders and mood disorders.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)
- Panic disorder(panic attacks)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are characterized by difficulties regulating one’s mood. Depression and bipolar depression are the two most common mood disorders.
What You Can Do to Help
Although the general perception of mental illness has improved over the past decades, studies show mental illness stigmas are still powerful. These perceptions are fueled largely by media stereotypes, lack of education, and people’s tendency to attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than for other diseases and disabilities (such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease).
In addition to hindering people from seeking treatment, stigma also affects the number of resources available for proper treatment. Stigma and misinformation can feel like overwhelming obstacles for someone who is struggling with a mental health condition. Here a few powerful things you can do to help:
Ask Good Questions.
Giving people a safe space to be honest and admit they are struggling is an important step in normalizing mental health issues and connected those who are struggling to treatment resources. If you know someone who appears to be anxious, sad, withdrawn, or lacking motivation, let them know you are concerned and ask them how they are doing.
Show Respect and Acceptance.
Having people see you as an individual and not as your illness can make the biggest difference for someone who is struggling with their mental health. For example, we would never refer to someone diagnosed with cancer as “They’re cancer.” Yet, it is common to talk about people struggling with depression as “They’re depressed.”
Learn More About Mental Health.
A better understanding can lead to providing better support to those affected in our families and communities. The information available about mental health is expanding exponentially. Daily, research is uncovering the physical mechanics of mental illnesses and promising treatments are being developed. Individuals are also feeling more empowered to share their stories.
Some great sources for mental health news and information include:
Advocate Within Your Circles of Influence.
Speaking up, sharing facts instead of myths about mental illness, and keeping these dialogues going can help to ensure individuals with a mental illness have the same rights and opportunities as other members of your church, school, place of work, peer groups, and community.
